Volunteer Appreciation Day to heighten awareness, recognize volunteerism Published Aug. 5, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- A base event is planned to thank current volunteers and link potential volunteers with the agencies that need them. Volunteer Appreciation Day, organized by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Maxwell Event Center. The event will include displays from on- and off-base volunteer interests, food, childcare and an inflated "bouncy" castle to entertain children. In appreciation of their service, volunteers will receive a pin and a goodie bag. The event also serves as a way to replenish the available volunteer pool. "We want the base population to come out and look at the opportunities available," said Derrick Sanders, chief of the family readiness branch of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Twenty-three agencies have been invited to set up display booths. Ruben Aguilar, volunteer coordinator, said inviting the volunteer agencies to the base is an ideal way to help them build relationships with potential volunteers. "It's a centralized location, and it makes it simpler for them to come out and talk to an actual representative," he said. "It's also an opportunity for people who don't currently volunteer to mingle with those who do." Volunteers are critical components to the success of several organizations in meeting vital needs throughout the community, both on and off base, Mr. Sanders explained. "There are so many organizations that can't do what they do without (volunteers)," he said. "There's an incredible volunteer spirit here, and we want to match them up with organizations that need their efforts." Mr. Aguilar reported that last year, more than 1,100 volunteers contributed more than 17,000 hours of volunteer work. Several on- and off-base organizations benefit from the efforts of base volunteers. These include the Airman's Attic, the thrift shop, the base clinic, the base chapel, Habitat for Humanity, Montgomery Area Council on Aging (also known as Meals on Wheels), Salvation Army, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Sickle Cell Foundation. This year, the Sexual Assault Resource Center has been added to the list of volunteer opportunities. Trained volunteers can provide support to sexual assault victims by serving as victim advocates. In addition, a Disaster Evacuee Program helps marshal resources when disaster strikes. Maxwell is one of the evacuation sites for personnel stationed on bases on the coast that may evacuate if a hurricane or tropical system threatens, said Mr. Aguilar. "We solicit families to open up their homes" by taking in Airmen, families or pets when shelters reach capacity, he said. Base volunteers also contribute to the Montgomery City School Clean-Up Project. The project, done in cooperation with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, spearheads the adoption of local schools by organizations, which serve schools by improving school campuses through painting and gardening assistance. The project started out three years ago with 12 schools but has blossomed to encompass all 60 public schools in Montgomery, 15 of which are adopted through the base.